Private Tour of Lake Stymfalia From Athens (Agrotourism)

Lake Stymphalia
Located in the north-eastern part of the Peloponnese in Corinthia, Stymphalia is a Wetlands area, a popular farming area.Usually this area around the lake is fairly dry underfoot. Stymphalia is situated at an altitude of 700 meters between four mountains: Ziria,Oligirto,Mavrovounio and Gavria. Considered to be a rare wetland habitat it hosts more than 143 species of birds, some of which are rare. A privileged site for the birds which can find there refuge,a breeding zone,a place to stop during the migration.In this way you can observe throughout the year some species as Grey Heron.Rare birds: Marsh Harrier (circus aeroginosus),Coot (fulica atra), Aythia Ferina,Little Egret (Egretta Garzeta).It is worth stopping by at one of the bird observatories along the lakeside road. A very special ecosystem,a mountainous wetland, lake Stymphalia is protected by the Natura 2000 program and by the IBA (Important Bird Area) in Europe.

Stymphalos
The ruins of the Ancient city of Stymphalos on the lake's northern roadside where the remnants of the Ancient Agora's public buildings,fortifications and temples have been discovered that bear testament to the past's glory.The city which has been excavated was founded in approximately 350 BC on the site of a town with inter-dispersed ruins dating to the early and late Bronze Age period.The partial destruction of Stymphalos appears to be due to a Roman military attack after 146 BC.

The Environment Museum
Is located at an altitude of 600m.The water basin of Stymphalia is considered to be the largest mountain lake of the Peloponnese,at the same time as being the Balkan's southernmost mountain wetland.The basic goals of the museological approach are to raise the public's ecological awareness and preserve the knowledge relating to the regions traditional technology.The exhibition's goals are supported by models and interactive applications,digital representations and documentary films.
A walk around the lake allows one to acquaint oneself with a rare and important ecosystem.

Mythology
In ancient Greece,Stymphalos,lying in this valley of northwestern Arcadia was renowned as the site of the Labors of Hercules,the slaying of the Stymphalian birds,the Stymphalides Ornithes! The Stymphalian Birds are man-eating birds with beaks of bronze,sharp metallic feathers they could launch at their victims,and poisonous dung.They migrated to a marsh in Arcadia to escape a pack of wolves.There they bred quickly over the countryside,destroying crops,fruit trees and townspeople.

The sixth labor of Heracles...The Stymphalian birds were defeated by the hero Heracles (Hercules) for Eurystheus.Heracles could not go into the marsh to reach the nests of the birds,as the ground would not support his weight.Athena,noticing the hero's plight,gave Heracles a rattle which Hephaestus had made especially for the occasion.Heracles shook the rattle and frightened the birds into the air.Heracles then shot many of them with arrows tipped with poisonous blood from the slain of Hydra.The rest flew far away,never to plague Arcadia again.Heracles brought some of the slain birds to Eurystheus as proof of his success. The surviving birds made a new home on an island in the Euxine Sea.The Argonauts later encountered them there.

*You can also engage in an activity that will make you feel as though you were part of the mythological scene of Hercule's battle with the Stymphalian Birds. Archery by the lake! Of course you will be using special targets (provided by a sports organizer in the area).

Zaraka Cistercian Monastery
The impressive Zaraka Cistercian Monastery ruins,a little outside the village,appear to be the first noteworthy evidence for the monastery,which date back to 1236.It's church (a three-aisled basilica roofed with grain vaults) has been excavated over three periods (1928,1962,1993-1997) while the columns are reminiscent of the 13th century Gothic churches.

Surrounding villages
The villages Kaliani,Lafka where a prominent museum operates with old tools,and Kastania are set in a magnificent landscape with chestnut,fir and plane trees.Take in the beauty of the area by mountaineering as some spots offer a breathtaking view of the lake.
Plenty of guest houses and rooms-to-let in the mountain villages of Feneos,Goura,and Ano Kato and Mesa Trikala.All of these villages have many traditional tavernas and grill houses.

Feta cheese is a specialty of Stymphalia and its origin goes back a long way in history,and is counted the oldest cheeses in the world.
According to myth,the Cyclops Polyfimos was the first to have prepared it.